Opelika Public Library
🏢 City of Opelika · Opelika, Alabama
Opelika Public Library
Opened in October 2021 in a purpose-built facility on Glenn Street, the Opelika Public Library brings together a full makerspace, Cooper Auditorium, genealogy archives, and a robust digital collection — all free and open to Lee County residents six days a week.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1100 GLENN STREET, OPELIKA, AL 36801
Phone: +1 334-705-5380
Website: opelika-al.gov
Plus Code: 864PJJXF+MJ (OPELIKA, AL)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Opelika Public Library
The library's roots go back to the original building at 200 South 6th Street, which was dedicated as the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library on May 10, 1976, in honor of Opelika's mayor Lewis Cooper Jr. — a lifelong city resident who served from 1967 until his death in office in August 1975. Cooper championed the construction of the 15,000-square-foot original building, raising more than $500,000 and filling it with approximately 46,000 books, an art gallery, an audio-visual room, and local history exhibits. In October 2021 the library moved to a new 1100 Glenn Street facility and rebranded as the Opelika Public Library, dramatically expanding its services. The new building features a dedicated Makerspace with seven pieces of equipment, the Cooper Auditorium, multiple meeting and study rooms, and an outdoor pavilion. Today the library serves roughly 30,000 Opelika residents and logged nearly 5,800 program attendees in 2025 alone.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Makerspace with 3D printer, Glowforge, Cricut, button maker, laminator, and sublimation printer — all free to use
- Cooper Auditorium and multiple meeting rooms available for community reservations
- Notary public services available to the public
- Genealogy archives and Ancestry Library Edition (in-branch) for family history research
- Opened October 2021 in a purpose-built facility at 1100 Glenn Street
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free library card unlocks Alabama's statewide and library-exclusive digital platforms:
📚 Services
- Free library card for Lee County residents
- Notary public services
- Makerspace (3D printer, Glowforge, Cricut, button maker, laminator, sublimation printer)
- Interlibrary loan
- Printing and copying
- Cooper Auditorium and meeting room reservations
- Genealogy research and Ancestry Library Edition (in-branch)
- Proctoring services
🎸 Programs
- Story times and children's arts and crafts activities
- Summer Reading Adventure — nearly 200 programs with 5,800+ attendees in 2025
- Kids Craft Fair — twice-yearly young entrepreneur market
- Tora Con — multi-fandom comic convention held annually on library campus
- App-y Hour and Tech Basics — free digital literacy classes for adults
- Prostate Cancer Support Group — second Tuesday monthly at 7 PM
- Author visits and author series events
- Makerspace safety classes — 3D printer and Glowforge certification
📍 Nearby Libraries in Lee & Pike Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment is available in the Opelika Public Library Makerspace?
The Makerspace at 1100 Glenn Street offers seven pieces of equipment free of charge (materials cost separately): a 3D printer, Glowforge laser cutter/engraver, Cricut cutting machines, a button maker, laminator, spiral binder, and sublimation printer. Patrons 16 and older may use the 3D printer and Glowforge independently after completing a free safety class. The Cricut and button maker require no certification.
Does Opelika Public Library offer notary services?
Yes, notary public services are available at the library. Call (334) 705-5380 in advance to confirm availability and whether an appointment is needed.
What happened to the old Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library at 200 S 6th Street?
The original Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library at 200 South 6th Street served the community from 1976 until October 2021, when the library moved into a new purpose-built facility at 1100 Glenn Street. The new building significantly expanded services and was rebranded as the Opelika Public Library. Lewis Cooper Jr., the Opelika mayor who championed the original library, is still honored through the Cooper Auditorium in the new building.
Can I reserve a meeting room at the Opelika Public Library?
Yes. The library offers several reservable spaces: the Cooper Auditorium, Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, group study rooms, individual study rooms, and an outdoor pavilion. Reservations can be made through the library's online calendar at opelika.librarycalendar.com.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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